ES2553336T3 - Structure with modular panel units for construction purposes - Google Patents

Abstract

Structure comprising two panel units (2) juxtaposed for construction purposes and a two-piece connector (17) to interconnect respective joint flanges (10, 12) of the two juxtaposed panel units (2), each panel unit comprising (2) two opposite major surfaces (4, 4 ') and at least two joining flanges (10, 12) on opposite surfaces of the panel units (2) located at, or adjacent to, a common edge of the respective unit of panel and projecting in mutually opposite directions, said connector comprising in two pieces (17) a first female connector (18) that is adapted to anchor to the flanges (12) on a surface of the panel units (2) and for anchoring to a fixed structural element (20), and a second female connector (19) adapted to anchor to the flanges (10) on the opposite surface of the panel units (2), characterized in that at least one of said two joining flanges (10, 12) is projected with an angle ulo from one of the respective major surfaces (4, 4 ').

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Structure with modular panel units for construction purposes Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a structure with modular panel units for the construction of walls, ceilings, roofs, canopies and windows, particularly sections of light transmitting walls. More specifically, the present invention relates to such panel units that have joint flanges at their ends and are manufactured by extrusion.

Background of the invention

Extruded modular panel units of the type of the present invention are known, for example, from US Pat. us. 4,573,300, 4,998,395 and 5,348,790.

In all these patents, panel units are described having two interconnected spaced major surfaces and a connecting flange at each of its ends, both flanges projecting in the same direction from a single major panel surface.

Although these panels have been used with advantage for many years, it has been found that sometimes under adverse weather conditions, difficulties can be created with regard to water tightness and resistance to high winds, especially with a structure composed of two units of Panels arranged in parallel interconnected by H-shaped connectors.

Document GB 2 335 210 describes mutually locking structural panels that have at least one undercut peripheral projection that allows joint members to hold two adjacent panels together. The projection can be undermined on both panel surfaces to allow the use of two symmetrical connectors, which can be attracted together by a mechanism from the center.

European patent EP 949 390 describes two generally coplanar panels supported, almost singing with edge, by an Intermediate beam. A coupling member is captive in the beam by longitudinal mutual coupling formations and provides a mutual locking coupling for the edges of the panels.

On the opposite side of the coupling member, the beam protrudes from the panels and receives and retains a cover that seals against the panels. Wings directed downwards in the lid are coupled to channels directed upwards in the base thereof and prevent the side walls of the lid from separating.

U.S. Patent No. 3,363,383 discloses a joint structure between two or more substantially rigid structural members comprising opposing outer metal profiles that are shaped to form inwardly directed shrouds in which opposing pins of an elastomeric C-shaped sealing member are coupled and security

Document US20010005963 describes a hollow building element made of plastic material that comprises one or more longitudinal ducts and has, on opposite sides thereof, coupling members, by which the elements are connected together directly or indirectly. An upper coupling member on one side of an element is a hook-like member and an upper coupling member on the opposite side of the element includes a hook for the hook-like member of another similar element. Building structures are created by connecting each other with such building elements.

Compendium of the invention

Therefore a broad objective of the present invention is to improve the disadvantages of the panel units described above and to provide panel units that generate the most robust construction at climatic conditions.

According to the present invention, there is therefore provided a structure comprising two juxtaposed panel units for constructive purposes and a two-piece connector for interconnecting respective joint flanges of the two juxtaposed panel units, each panel unit comprising two major surfaces opposite and at least two joining flanges on opposite surfaces of the panel units located in, or adjacent to, a common edge of the respective panel unit and projecting in mutually opposite directions, said connector comprising in two pieces a first connector female that is adapted to be anchored to the flanges on a surface of the panel units and to be anchored to a fixed structural element, and a second female connector adapted to be anchored to the flanges on the opposite surface of the panel units, characterized in that at least one of said two joining flanges is projected at an angle from one of the respective s larger surfaces.

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Brief description of the drawings

In order to understand the invention and to see how it can be implemented, embodiments will now be described, only by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of connected panel units, according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of connected panel units, according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of connected panel units, according to the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of additional embodiments of connected panel units, according to the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a structure of two connected panels, using panel units according to embodiments of the present invention;

Figs. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views of two juxtaposed panel units, according to embodiments of the present invention, which show two edges thereof, and

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of two juxtaposed panel units, according to embodiments of the present invention, showing a panel in which the flanges are arranged adjacent to their edges.

With specific reference now to the figures, it is emphasized that the particular matters shown are only by way of example only for the purpose of an illustrative presentation of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are presented to provide what is believed to be It is the most useful and easily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this sense, it is not intended to show structural details of the invention in more detail than those necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings makes it apparent to those skilled in the art how various forms can be materialized in practice. of the invention.

Detailed description of achievements

Fig. 1 shows two panel units 2 juxtaposed and interconnected for constructive purposes, according to an embodiment of the invention. Typically, said panel units are manufactured by extrusion. Each of the panel units includes two major surfaces 4, 4 ', interconnected by a plurality of ribs 6 and / or intermediate surfaces 8, which divide the defined space between the major surfaces into a plurality of subspaces. Each of the panel units has at least two joining flanges 10, 12, located in, or adjacent to, a common edge of the respective panel unit 2. Each of the flanges 10, 12 in the respective panel unit it is projected from a different major surface 4 or 4 'of the panel unit 2. Although not shown in the figure, typically one of the two flanges is projected from a larger surface and two flanges are projected from the other major surface. Flanges can be projected from larger surfaces at right angles, or at an angle not normal to them; they may be aligned with another flange on the same edge of the panel unit, or be alternated or staggered with respect to an adjacent edge.

While the panels illustrated in all the figures herein are of the type described above, it should be noted that the present invention also encompasses other types of constructive panels, with or without subspaces included between the larger surfaces. For example, the present invention encompasses panels defining a plurality of spaces formed by partitions that extend transversely between the major surfaces, and panels of a type in which material fills the entire space between the major surfaces, as well as the interior of the flanges

The flanges themselves, as will be described later, can be of all types of configurations and include fasteners for engaging and gripping compatible fasteners made in panel unit connectors. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the flanges 10, 12 have wider base parts 14, 16 than the remaining part, providing better support. According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the flanges 10, 12 are of equal height and, in the assembly, the two juxtaposed panel units 2 are interconnected by a two-piece connector 17 having a base part 18 that is anchor to the flanges 12 on the lower surface of the panel units 2 and anchor to the flanges 10 on the upper surface of the panel units 2 by a cover 19. The base part 18 is fixedly connected to a fixed structural element 20, p. eg, a roof beam, e.g. eg, by screws 21. A cylindrical hole 22, of a height substantially equal to the combined height of the panel units 2 plus opposite flanges 10 and 12, is projected upward from the center of an internal surface of the base part . The flanges 12 projected downward from the panel units 2 are inserted into a part of

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base 18 so that the cylindrical hole 22 protrudes out of the upper surface. The cover 19 is now mounted on the upwardly projected flanges 10 of the juxtaposed panel units 2 and is anchored to the base part 18 by means of a screw 23 that is coupled to an internal thread of the cylindrical hole 22. The screw 23 can be Self-tapping and connecting can adopt any practical and aesthetic configuration and be made of plastic or metal. The dimensions of the base part 20 and the hole 22 are such as to leave a gap between an outer surface of the hole 22 and the end surfaces of the panel units to allow thermal expansion and contraction of the panel units 2.

Fig. 2 shows a variation of this embodiment in which the height of the flanges 24 on the Lower surface of the panel unit 2 is different from that of the flanges 10 on the upper surface. The same type of connection, however, is used with different proportions on each side of the panel unit 2. In the figure, the lower flanges 24 are smaller than the upper flanges 10, but the opposite is also contemplated.

The construction according to both variations is water tight, withstands strong winds and allows thermal expansion and contraction of the panel units.

Fig. 3 illustrates flanges 28, 30 of the panel units 2, which have Inclined Interior surfaces 32, 34, and correspondingly, the connection 36 has complementary Inclined legs 38, 40. The Inclined surfaces of the flanges and the connection, as effect provide fixings, which prevent the detachment of the panel 2 units. Naturally, sawtooth or other known fasteners with compatiblely configured connecting legs can be used. Said connection 36 can also be configured with wider horizontal dimensions to provide adequate separation for thermal expansion.

It should be understood that while typically the panel 2 units are manufactured with symmetrical flanges on both edges, for special structures and for a special end surface finish, asymmetric panel units may have been formed with different flange configurations on selected edges.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment, in which the legs 50, 52 are connected in a edge of the side surfaces 46, 48 of the panel unit 2 in the upper edge and extend flush with the larger surfaces 4 of the juxtaposed panel units 2. Thus, as seen, the flanges 42, 44 project from the larger surfaces 4, while the flanges 56, 58 do not project from the plane connection surfaces 4 ', but remain within the width of the units of panel 2.

Fig. 5 shows a structure of two interconnected panel units where each of the panel units 2 has two oppositely extended flanges 60, 62, 64 and 66, which allow an easy interconnection with a single-panel panel unit. , 2 which has flanges 68, 70, by means of a "H" 72 connection.

Fig. 6 illustrates two juxtaposed panels 2, each having, at or adjacent to, one edge two oppositely projected flanges 74, 76, while on the other edge of panel 2 a single flange 78 is projected. Fig. 7 shows a similar embodiment in which the panels 2 have, in or adjacent to, one edge two oppositely projected flanges 74, 76, while in the other panel edge there is no flange. Obviously, different types of connectors can be used to adapt to different configurations of panels and flanges, or to the lack of flanges.

Fig. 8 shows a panel unit 2 having flanges 74, 76, according to the invention, arranged adjacent to each edge of the panel unit. It is not necessary that the distance between the edge and the edges be symmetrical and can be determined as required.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the preceding illustrated embodiments and that the present invention can be materialized in other specific ways without departing from the scope of the claims thereof. The present embodiments must therefore be considered in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims instead of by the preceding description, and all changes that fall within the meaning and scope of equivalence of the claims are therefore intended to be encompassed therein.

Claims (14)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 1. Structure comprising two panel units (2) juxtaposed for construction purposes and a two-piece connector (17) to connect respective joint flanges (10, 12) of the two juxtaposed panel units (2), each comprising panel unit (2) two opposite major surfaces (4, 4 ') and at least two joining flanges (10, 12) on opposite surfaces of the panel units (2) located at, or adjacent to, a common edge of the respective panel unit and projecting in mutually opposite directions, said connector comprising in two pieces (17) a first female connector (18) that is adapted to anchor to the flanges (12) on a surface of the panel units ( 2) and to anchor to a fixed structural element (20), and a second female connector (19) adapted to anchor to the flanges (10) on the opposite surface of the panel units (2), characterized in that at least one of said two joining flanges (10, 12) is projected with a angle from one of the respective major surfaces (4, 4 '). 2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said two joining flanges (10, 12) is normally projected from the opposite major surfaces (4, 4 '). 3. The structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said two joining flanges (10, 12) is projected at a normal angle with respect to the respective major surfaces (4, 4 '). 4. The structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein two or more flanges (10, 12) project from a common surface. 5. The structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flanges (10, 12) have inclined interior surfaces (32, 34) to be coupled to complementary inclined legs (38, 40) of the panel connector (36) . 6. The structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the flanges (42, 44, 56, 58) are connected to a side surface (46, 48) of the panel unit by means of a leg (50, 52 ) cantilever on the side surface of the panel unit (2). 7. The structure according to claim 6, wherein the leg (50, 52) is connected to a side surface edge (46) of the panel unit (2). 8. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the second female connector (19) is adapted to be anchored to the first female connector (18). 9. The structure according to claim 8, wherein a cylindrical hole (22) of height substantially equal to a combined height of the panel unit (2) plus opposite flanges (10, 12) is projected upward from a center of an internal surface of the first female connector (18). The structure according to claim 9, wherein the second female connector (19) is anchored to the first female connector (18) by means of a screw (23) that is coupled to an internal thread of the cylindrical hole (22). 11. The structure according to claim 10, wherein the screw (23) is self-tapping. 12. The structure according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the first female connector (18) and the cylindrical hole (22) are sized to leave a gap between an outer surface of the hole (22) and the end surfaces of the panel units (2) to allow thermal expansion and contraction of the panel units (2). 13. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the at least two joining flanges (10, 12) project from the opposite major surfaces (4, 4 '). 14. The structure according to claim 1, wherein one of the flanges (42, 44) is projected from one of the major surfaces (4), and one of the flanges (56, 58) is not projected from the plane that connects an opposite larger surface (4 '), but remains within a width of the panel units (2).